Parents of teenagers should be aware of what drug paraphernalia looks like. Drug gear is anything that is used to hide, use or make drugs. To monitor and protect their teens, parents need to be on the lookout for items that could indicate their kids are using drugs.

People can purchase drug paraphernalia from various sources. The Internet and mail-order businesses are some of the primary suppliers. Paraphernalia is also sold at head shops, tobacco stores, gift shops, convenience stores and gas stations. Products that can be purchased legally include pipes, bongs, rolling papers and roach clips. These products usually specify that they are only to be used for tobacco, but, in reality, they are used with illegal drugs as well. Illegal drug products include marijuana growing kits and cocaine freebase kits.

Some people use or modify products designated for other purposes for drugs or make their own paraphernalia. Items that fall into this group include baggies, test tubes, spoons, syringes, rags, lighters, credit cards, tin foil, razor blades and lighters. The type of drugs teens use determine the paraphernalia they have. For instance, different drug items are used for smoking, huffing and injecting substances.

Teens employ various strategies to cover up their drug habit. Young people sometimes use candy and gum wrappers, breath mint containers and other innocuous items to hide drugs. Some adolescents have air fresheners and incense on hand to cover up the smell of drugs. They might use eye drops or wear sunglasses at odd times to disguise their blood-shot eyes, unusual pupil size or strange eye movements.

Much of the drug equipment for sale specifically targets young people. Some of the gear comes in bright colors, with images of celebrities or with trendy designs, such as wizards, dragons and skulls. Some drug items are made to look like other things to conceal their true purpose. For example, some products appear to be beautiful trinkets, makeup, soda cans or markers.